The Laf

Issue date: 10/2/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Julie Martin

The Leopards opened the league portion of their season with a tough weekend, dropping matches to both American and Navy. Lafayette fell 3-0 to American, who won the league last season, before playing better volleyball in a close 3-2 loss to Navy.

The Eagles beat the Leopards by scores of 25-18, 21-15, and a closer 25-21 final set to earn the victory. The Leopards looked like they were about to be defeated by double figures in the last set, but Lafayette came back to get the game close at 24-21. Cara Mulholland '10, who finished with nine kills, and Kari Horn '10, who had 14 digs, had strong games for the Leopards.

Throughout the game, the Leopards had trouble handling American's strong service game. American ended up with eight aces in the three-set match.

The Leopards stared off the match against Navy with two straight losses, but the Leopards nearly won the second set, falling by two.

Rather than let the loss weaken their momentum, Lafayette came back strong taking the next set with a sound 25-14 victory. The Leopards showed their mettle, coming from behind to take the third set 25-23. Alana Taylor '12 slammed the ball down for a winning kill to send the game to a fifth set.

The final set featured ten ties, and the two teams could not decide the outcome in regulation time. Despite a strong effort from the Leopards, Navy was able to come through in the clutch for a 17-15 victory to take the match.

Mullholland and Horn once again played well for Lafayette. Mullholland finished with 20 kills and 18 digs while Horn had a match-high 19 digs. Ashton Rossi '10 recorded 49 assists.

The Leopards broke their losing streak on Wednesday night with a 3-1 victory against Manhattan College. Mullholland had another strong performance for the Leopards as she led the team in kills with 15 and digs with 19.

Lafayette struggled early in the first set, but after taking the lead at 12 they never looked back and took the set 25-21. The second set proved to be the most exciting of the night.

The Leopards surged to an early lead, but after a few crucial errors they allowed the Jaspers to tie the game at 7. From there the lead went back and forth until the two teams were knotted at 24 all. Unfortunately for Lafayette, Manhattan was finally able to string two points together and secure a 33-31 victory.

After dropping the second set, it would have been easy for the Leopards to let Manhattan take control. However, Lafayette remained mentally focused and as a team they amassed ten kills with only one error to secure a 25-17 victory.

The fourth set was all about the Leopards. After a slow start, Lafayette was able to take the lead 4-3 after a kill from Taylor. The Leopards never surrendered the lead again and took the fourth set 25-17.

The win over Manhattan was just the confidence boost the Leopards needed as they enter their second week of Patriot League play. Lafayette will look to get its first league win against Holy Cross on Friday night.

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